Segmented candle

ABSTRACT

A candle having a plurality of wax segments disposed in spaced relation along a continuous wick with a candle holder having at least two vertically spaced support platforms for holding the upper segments of the candle in fixed relationship.

United States Patent [191 Hicks 11] 3,826,606 [451 July 30, 1974 SEGMENTED CANDLE [76] Inventor: Burton G. Hicks, 55 Ridgecrest Cir., v

Westfield, Mass. 01085 [22] Filed: Aug. 7, 1973 [21] Appl. No.: 386,300

[52] US. Cl 431/295, 431/288, 431/292 [51] Int. Cl F23d 3/16 [58] Field of Search 431/288, 290, 295, 289, I 431/292 [56] References Cited 7 UNITED STATES PATENTS 6/1968 Cangialosi 43l/288 Primary Examiner -Carroll B. Dority, Jr. Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Chapin, Neal and Dempsey 57 ABSTRACT A candle having a plurality of wax segments disposed in spaced relation along a continuous wick with a candle holder having at least two vertically spaced support platforms for holding the upper segments of the candle in fixed relationship.

3 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures PATENTEDJMOW which has just been lighted.

The principal object of this invention is to provide a novel combination candle and holder construction wherein the candle flame is maintained at a substantially constant height independent of the length of time decreases. Thus from an aesthetic standpoint, a candle which has been used for a long period of time does not present the same pleasing visual effect as a new candle Another object of this invention is to provide a candle of theabove type wherein the holder'includes a light reflecting or refracting ornament positioned at approximately the same height as the flame whereby the light emitted from the flame will be reflected or refracted by the ornament throughout the entire burning life of the candle A further object of thisinvention is to provide ,a candle of theabove typelcomposed of segments of different colors and various scents with aseparation between each candle segment, so that a distinctive visual effect and aroma is achieved by the burning of each such different segment.

The above and other objects of this invention will be.

more readily apparent from the following description and with reference to the accompanying drawing, in which:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view, partly in section, showing a combination candle and holder of the type embodying this invention;

FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of the candle holder with the segmented candle removed therefrom;

HO. 3 is a partial elevational view, on an enlarged scale, showing -a portion of the holder and candle; and

FIG 4 is a plan view showing a portion of the candle holder. i e

In FIG. 1 an ornamental candle and holder combination is shown generally at 4 which is of the type embodyingmy invention. The candle comprises a pluralty of wax segments 6, affixed at longitudinally spaced locations throughout the length of a continuous wick 8. Each segment 6 may be of any desirable configuration and size and may be of any suitable height or length which will burn in a predetermined period of time, such as an hour or a fractional part thereof. In this way, the candle can be used as an elapsed time device whereby the time in which each section burns may be a visual reminder of elapsed time, similar to an hour glass. 1

permost candle segments 6. Support platforms 16 and 18 are spaced apart a distance slightly greater than the axial length or height of each candle segment. By this arrangement two adjacent segments may be supported in fixed, spaced relation as shown in FIG. 1 of the drawing. Each platform is generally tray-shaped'with a base panel 20 and upwardly extending side walls 22. A radially extending slot 24 extends from one of the outer edges of the tray inwardly to approximately the center ,of the base panel 20 and provides access for insertion and removal of the wick 8 as eachsegment is manipu lated for disposition on the support trays 16 and 18 with the wick extending through bottom panels 20.

In the embodiment shown, the trays are supported by a U-shaped bracket 28 which is affixed to the upright by any suitable fastener means, such'as by screws or bolts 30. Both support trays are afflxed by means of bolts or screws 32 to the upwardly facing surfaces of the horizontal arm portions of the bracket 28.

At the upper end of the upright 14, an ornament such as a reflector 36, shown in the illustrated embodiment, is provided. The ornament may be of any suitable shape and material to reflect and/or refract light emitted by the candles flame'when the upper candle segment is supported in tray 16. In place of the reflector 36, a crystal prism or other suitable refractive device may be used to give pleasing visual effects when illuminated by the flame of the upper candle segment.

A storage tray or housing 38 is shown supported by the surface of the base 12 and serves to house candle segments in addition to those hanging below the tray 18. Thus, as shown, the upper segments of the candle are supported by trays l6 and 18 and the next few segments are maintained in depending relation below the support. 18. Additional segments are disposed in the storage tray 38.

When the wick of the upper section is lighted,.the height of the flame is disposed throughout the burning life of the segment at approximately the same level as the reflector 36. When the upper segment has been consumed, the next lower segment is shifted from the lower tray 18 to the upper tray 16. This may be accomplished by simply grasping the candle segment and sliding it horizontally to remove the wick from slot 24. The

segment is then raised to the upper tray and the wick aligned with slot 24. The segment may then be moved laterally inward toapproximately the center of the tray 16.-At the same time, the adjacent lower segment is also manipulated inthe same manner-to be fitted on the lower tray 18. This procedure may be accomplished either while the candle is burning or after the flame has been extinguished, depending upon the preference of the user. By having two spaced trays, even if the user fails to shift the next segments to the top tray after the upper segment has been'consumed, the lower tray will supportthe burning segment until the user has had an opportunity to raise it to the upper tray.

When the holder and candle combination embodying this invention is placed on a table or the like, the flame emitted by the upper segment supported by tray 16 will along said wick, said holder having a base and an upright extending therefrom, and at least two vertically spaced support means for holding the upper segment and the one adjacent thereto.

claim 2 in which said support means comprises a tray member having a slot extending radially from the periphery to approximately the center thereof. 

1. Candle and holder combination comprising a candle having a plurality of wax segments and a continuous wick, said segments being disposed in spaced relation along said wick, said holder having a base and an upright extending therefrom, and at least two vertically spaced support means for holding the upper segment and the one adjacent thereto.
 2. Candle and holder combination as set forth in claim 1 in which said support means are spaced apart a distance greater than the length of said candle segments.
 3. Candle and holder combination as set forth in claim 2 in which said support means comprises a tray member having a slot extending radially from the periphery to approximately the center thereof. 